What we’re reading Wednesday: ‘Called Again’

Posted by Julia on July 31, 2013

Called Again: A Story of Love and Triumph by Jennifer Pharr DavisBeaufort Books • $24.95 • ISBN 9780825306938
published June 10, 2013

Did you know that today is the anniversary of a significant hiking event? The overall speed record for hiking the entire 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail was set on this date in 2011 by Jennifer Pharr Davis, who completed the trail in 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes. I’m aware of the anniversary because I followed along for several weeks. No, I didn't hike with her, but I was able to track her progress through the fascinating daily blog posts of her husband, Brew Davis.

As a fan of Becoming Odyssa, her memoir of first hiking the AT after college, I was thrilled when I learned that Davis had written a new book, Called Again: A Story of Love and Triumph, about her recent record-breaking experience. Certain to entertain readers—fellow hikers or not—this is a story of perseverance and grit, love, dedication and sacrifice. It’s not so much about being the fastest AT hiker ever, as about taking on a challenge, consistently doing your best and allowing yourself to rely on other people to help you along the way.

Readers feeling unsure of themselves or frustrated by societal pressures regarding what they should look like, act like and/or focus on would benefit from reading Davis’ story, which offers plenty of inspiration for becoming a better "me."

"I mean, how does hiking the Appalachian Trail in a short amount of time positively impact anyone? But Anne made me realize that being a role model isn’t about inspiring other people to be like you; it is about helping them to be the fullest version of themselves. The main legacy of this endeavor would not be to encourage others to set a record on the Appalachian Trail, but to encourage them to be the best form of their truest selves. And it just so happened that my best form was a hiker."

And here’s what she says about the media coverage of her feat:

"No one seemed interested in what I'd learned or what the most valuable part of the experience had been. Instead, everyone wanted to talk about how I averaged 46.93 miles per day. . . . Why didn't anyone ask about the notions of living in the present or choosing something purposeful and fulfilling over something fun and easy? Or the idea that persistence and consistency can be more valuable than speed or strength? . . . Why did no one realize that the most miraculous part of the summer was not the record, but how well my husband had loved me?!"

In between is the story of Davis hiking, how her husband and countless others provided support during her quest and the literal ups and downs of the trail over 46 relentless days.

If you’ve read Wild, the best-selling memoir by Cheryl Strayed, you know it is about much more than just hiking. Such is Davis’ story, too. The white blaze and rolling mountains on the cover will pull you in, and by the time you reach the end of the trail atop Springer Mountain, you’ll be wondering how you, too, can find your best self.

Next week, I'll be hiking in the Tetons with my husband, and, having read Called Again, I know that I'll be a "better me" while I'm there. What book(s) have inspired you to become a better version of yourself?